Indian DGCA CPL Training in South Africa

Superior Pilot Services

About Us

As a professional pilot training school operating from Grand Central Airport, Midrand, South Africa, Superior Pilot Services is part of the Superior Aviation Group. The Superior Aviation Group’s principals have more than 100 years within the aviation industry. The Superior Group also advises various other aviation organisations about industry requirements ranging from aviation spares, aviation personnel, maintenance and infrastructure in respect of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The company also has a broad network of aviation funders who will consider most requirements.

Superior Pilot Services (SPS) offers a variety of training courses, specialising in personalised training from Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) through Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL) to Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL). The school combines the latest techniques, methods and training aids to provide a professional level of training. SPS monitors its instructors on a continuous basis throughout their employment period to ensure that the students not only receive the minimum training required to obtain their SACAA issued licence, but also receive personal attention. With a combination of part-time and full-time instructors, including SACAA Designated Flight Examiners (DFEs) and airline pilots, SPS instructors have thousands of hours of instruction experience. This experience is what provides students with the best possible training available. Training programmes are based on international best practice, combining the best of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) and South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) standards. All courses are outcome-based and through continuous assessment and practical evaluation, SPS carefully monitors every individual’s performance and therefore ensures that the required training standards are maintained.

Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Program

Theory Knowledge

Computer number: To appear for theory papers you first need to obtain a computer number which can be done by following the guidelines given at www.pariksha.dgca.gov.in

Subjects to Clear: Navigation / Meteorology / Air Regulations

Theory exams for all subjects are conducted four times a year. The majority of theory papers consist of multiple choice questions (MCQs), and if you studied hard enough for the test, you should be able to choose the correct answers. Whether you attend an international or Indian flight training school will largely determine which theory papers you must pass. For your understanding, the table below will simplify the same information.

Passing Mark: 70/100

Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Program

Flight Training

as per INDIAN DGCA Requirement 200 Hours

  • 100 Hrs Pilot In command
  • 100 Hrs of Dual
  • 40 Hours Instrument Training (20 Hours in Aircraft & 20 Hours in Simulator)
  • 50 Hours of Solo Cross Country
  • 10 Hours of Multi Engine

Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Program

Final Stage: License Conversion Checks

Candidates completing their flying training from SACAA need to fulfil certain criteria to get their foreign Commercial Pilot License converted to a DGCA CPL. The pre-requisites are as follows:

1. Valid foreign Professional Pilot’s License + verification letter from issuing State.
2. Valid foreign Class-I Medical Assessment from the State of issue.
3. Authenticated Logbook of a period of at least preceding 5 years, which must include information regarding dates, aircraft type (single/Multi), and registration, crew status (PIC). All the entries must be verified by the appropriate authority in the State of Issue of the foreign license. Tests must be signed by the examiners as well.
4. Valid Certificates of Skill tests for Single as well as Multi-engine (if multi-engine rating is desired).
5. Statement of 20 Hrs Cross-country flights / 50 Hrs if Instrument Rating is also requested.
6. Cross-country check reports, total three (300 NM with two full-stop landings, 250 NM with one full stop landing, 120 NM by night while returning to the point of departure without landing).
7. 5 Hrs Night Flying as PIC with a certificate of 10 take-offs and 10 landings.
8. For IR issue: Instrument time total = 40 Hrs (actual on aircraft 20 or more, simulated 20 or less) and at least 5 Hr instrument time on actual aircraft in the preceding six months (for IR issue).

Once all the prerequisites are achieved along with the general flying tests by day and night, candidates need to submit the hard copy for the License Conversion Application, with all the other required documents at DGCA. Recently, DGCA also made the whole process online to minimize hassle for applicants.

Once submitted and if found satisfactory, the applicant’s Commercial Pilot License is issued by DGCA within one month.